Service Opportunities

Your Duty to God

“Behold, thou art my son; … and I have a work for thee” (Moses 1:4, 6).

You are a son of God. He has restored His priesthood in our day, and He has entrusted
you with that priesthood. The purpose of this book is to help you:

Strengthen your testimony and your relationship with God.

Learn and fulfill your priesthood duties.

Apply standards from For the Strength of
Youth.

The Lord has promised that as you fulfill your priesthood duties, you will be
sanctified by the Spirit, you will become the elect of God, and eventually you will
receive all that the Father has (see D&C 84:33–38). Your service as a
priesthood holder will bring great blessings to those you serve.

“Behold, thou art my son; … and I have a work for thee” (Moses 1:4, 6).

Focus on What You Are Becoming

Fulfilling your duty to God is a lifelong experience. Don’t think of this book as a
list of tasks that you must hurry through in order to earn an award. Instead, focus
on how the activities you choose can help you develop spiritual attributes and
become the kind of priesthood holder Heavenly Father wants you to be.

Completing the activities in this book is not a requirement for advancing in the
priesthood. The purpose of the activities is to help you prepare for priesthood
service.

Learn, Act, Share

The Lord has commanded, “Let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in
which he is appointed, in all diligence” (D&C 107:99).

As you diligently complete the activities in this book, you will have opportunities
to learn your duties, make your own plans to fulfill them, and share your
experiences with your parents and quorum members. Make plans that fit your interests
and your needs. Make them challenging but also enjoyable. Focus on ways you can
exercise the priesthood to be of service to others. By making and fulfilling your
own plans, you will be taking responsibility for your own spiritual growth.

In some of the learning activities, you will be invited to write your thoughts and
feelings about what you are studying. Consider writing these things in a notebook or
journal.

Receiving Help

The plans that you make in this book are personal, but your parents, quorum
members, quorum president, and other Church leaders can help. For example, you
can:

Ask for their help as you learn your duties and make your
plans. Your quorum president, for example, holds priesthood keys for your
quorum, and he has a responsibility to help you learn and fulfill your
priesthood duties.

Share your experiences with them during interviews, quorum
meetings and activities, and informal conversations. This will help you see
the progress you are making and build your confidence in talking about the
gospel. The things you share can also strengthen the testimonies of
others.

Invite your parents or quorum members to make plans too, and
work on your plans together. When you work on your plans with someone else,
you support and encourage one another.

How This Book Is Organized

You will learn principles and make plans in the following areas:

Spiritual Strength. Applying what
you learn in this section will help you gain the spiritual strength you need
to stay on the path of righteousness. You will develop habits of regular
prayer and scripture study, which includes studying the words of the living
prophets. You will learn and teach the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. You will also learn and apply principles that will help you be a
worthy priesthood holder.

Priesthood Duties. Applying what
you learn in this section will help you draw closer to the Savior as you
exercise His priesthood. Your love for others will grow as you represent the
Savior in serving them. You will learn how to administer priesthood
ordinances, serve others, and invite all to come unto Christ.

For the Strength of Youth. In this
section you will learn about and apply some of the standards from For the Strength of Youth, including the
sections titled “Physical Health,” “Education,” “Family,” and “Friends.”
Applying these standards will make you more effective in your service to the
Lord and better prepared for your future.

Preparing to Receive the Melchizedek
Priesthood. All of the plans you make in this book will help you
prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and be worthy to serve a
full-time mission. As a priest, you will have the opportunity to create a
project that will give you additional preparation. You will learn about the
covenants you make when you receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and the
qualities that make missionaries effective.

For an interactive version of this book and other online resources, visit DutytoGod.lds.org.

Duty to God Certificates

After you accomplish your plans as a deacon and teacher, you will receive
certificates acknowledging the progress you are making as you fulfill your duty to
God. After you accomplish your plans as a priest, including your project to prepare
to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, you will receive a certificate acknowledging
what you have accomplished throughout your years as an Aaronic Priesthood
holder.